Abstract: The invention is directed to a primary data storage system for use in a computer network in which a network allows user computers to transfer data to/from the primary data storage system. In one embodiment, the primary data storage system implements a tiering strategy to move data between stores with different characteristics so as to match the characteristics of the data to the characteristics of one of the stores.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a primary data storage system for use in a computer network in which a network allows user computers to transfer data to and/or from the primary data storage system. In one embodiment of the invention, the storage processor operates to analyze the data associated with write block commands that relate to different storage locations in a data store system that is associated with the primary data storage system so as to identify the potential writing of the block(s) of the same data to the data store system and prevent the writing of such blocks of data.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a primary data storage system for use in a computer network in which a network allows user computers to transfer data to/from the primary data storage system. In one embodiment, the primary data storage system allows an administrator of the computer network to define two or more volumes on the primary data storage system and define quality of service goals for each volume. The primary data storage system operates so as allocate resources within the primary data storage system to the volumes based upon criticality and performance goals specified for each of the volumes.